Sunday, September 30, 2007

Chiefs at Chargers - Week 4 - Record: 2-2

Last night I saw the movie Transformers at the local IMAX theater. Thought the humongous screen would make it more spectacular, but the film itself was pretty lame so it didn't do much. A "transformer" is a large robot machine thing that can actually become something its little supercomputer registers. Say it sees a Camaro automobile-- it'll just look at it, go buh-zip buh-zop, and it can turn itself into that thing.

The reason I bring it up here is that the Kansas City defense seems to behave in exactly that way. They've played four games this season and in every one they've allowed the opponent to get decent scoring momentum at the start, but then

They transform.

Really, they just sort of change their make-up to match whatever the opposing offense is throwing at them. Stat-of-the-week: (Everyone knows it but it's worth mentioning) The Chiefs defense has not allowed a touchdown in the second half all season. We have just done a terrific job or morphing into an unstoppable force in every game-- what a credit to those guys and to the coaching staff. Some things to note about it:

The D-line: There is no question Jared Allen's presence is a big factor. He moves so quickly and pursues so fiercely. Our guys on the line there batted down, what, three or four passes?

The linebackers: How sweet it is to see Donnie Edwards back with the us. The guy is a stud-- especially at leading the defense. And Derrick Johnson is becoming a consistently top class defender.

The D-backfield: Probably the strength of the defense. You can't say enough about it. They smothered San Diego's receivers, flustering QB Philip Rivers into a nightmare of a second half. How about Ty Law's phenomenal interception today to go with his enduring experience and leadership. How about Jarrad Page batting that last pass in the end zone effectively sealing SD's demise. How about Tyron Brackenridge being right there to grab the loose ball and scoot for the big close-it-out TD.

Not to give short shrift to Tony Gonzalez on his amazing TD catch in the triple team to tie Shannon Sharpe, but what is the deal with Dwayne Bowe? Is this guy for real? Eight catches for 164 yards and a boffo TD... Does this guy remind you of John Taylor, remember him on the other end of Jerry Rice in the '80's and 90's Niners? He's got the same number... Yeah, maybe all Chiefs fans have already thought of this and I'm just behind on picking it up.

Thing is, Bowe is still only four games into his career and he's doing this? Can we say he is that good and not jinx the guy? Granted, SD's defensive backfield isn't the best. And I was getting a bit frustrated when it seemed they were going to him all the time, even that one time in the fourth quarter when the ball just shouldn't've been passed to him and it got deflected and intercepted.

Hey. This team's in first place. Yeah it's only on the strength of two wins in a weak division, but this is really nice for the first quarter of the season, considering.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Vikings at Chiefs - Week 3 - Record: 1-2

The Never-Say-Die Chiefs get their first win with a gritty determination they introduced in the second half of last week's game.

This one opened with Adrian Peterson running all over us for a quick touchdown. From that point on we made the adjustments to calm him down a bit and effectively stuff the Minnesota offense.

Still, our offense was lethargic until Huard exploded in the fourth quarter. What a performance. There was that one series there when they'd alternate: pass-Johnson-pass-Johnson, and every run was small loss and every pass was a big gain. He deserves the kudos, that's just Huard being a big-time QB.

He also got help from his two big-time receivers, the vet Tony Gonzalez and the newbie Dwayne Bowe. First, Gonzalez: How many times does Herm have to see him play as great as he did today and refuse to use him as much as he should? Second, Bowe: The kid is stud out there. How great it is that he's being used so effectively just three games into his career.

And the defense. Just a killer day for them.

What a fun comeback win for a team that, I believe, still has a lot to prove. But then I think, hmm, could this AFC West be so weak that we'd actually have a shot? The Chargers are 1-2 now. Den and Oak still play this afternoon, but the Broncos had to eek out their wins, and Oakland is 0-2.

Yeah, it's way too early, and today we still only got a single touchdown on the day. It is very nice to see the coaching staff work so well with what they got. Let's hope they can keep it going.

They've certainly got the perseverence factor going great for them.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Chiefs at Bears - Week 2 - Record: 0-2

I will admit that there was a teensy-weensy-itty-bitty spoodge of goodness from this game. Even though we were playing the Bears-- the NFC Champions last year-- in Chicago, and up until the two minute warning of the first half we played like a Pop Warner team,

We didn't give up.

Yes, this seems like one of those "Buck up, kids" kind of blabbings, but we genuinely, authentically refused to wilt like our talent dictates that we do.

Yes yes, that cynic in me just keeps pestering me with the certainly preposterous idea that overall this team has got a long way to go to even be considered mediocre.

But hey, back to the good: We really gave it all we had for 60 minutes, even revving it up to take it to the Bears in the second half if not for some critical turnovers and a blocked field goal. And wow! Even Brodie Croyle stepped in and went 4 for 4 passing in one last valiant assault before being denied. And we can refuse to give credit to the defense who shut the Bears down touchdown-wise after their first one in the first period. Their only other TD came from a punt return.

Back to the reality of the situation: Our talent, particularly on offense. It just ain't there. Damon Huard's heart is huge, his game is just-- um-- not. The offensive line is-- yes, yes, I can't help it-- offensive. Larry Johnson, again way below 100. The bright light is top pick Dwayne Bowe, but he's so green he's not much of a factor now, having only two catches on the day.

It just seems to me we've got to open it up. We start almost every series with the standard Johnson-Johnson-pass fare and more times than not it was three-and-out. Against a team like the Bears, stop with the short drop kukka. How about some deep drops, let things open up, use more play action-- with a phenomenal back like Johnson and TE like Gonzalez it can't be that bad.

Stat-of-the-day is not a pleasant one. Remember when it seemed like every year in the 90's we'd get off to a blazing start? Welcome to the 2000's. Of the eight years in this decade so far, we've had five 0-2 starts. This was the fifth 0-2 start in the last eight years. That really sucks.

We get our first home game next week. Yay! Let's see if home cooking makes any difference.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Chiefs at Texans - Week 1 - Record: 0-1

I should say something right up front here. I am a devout cynic. If you want "At least we did that well" kind of pap you won't get it here, unless what we did well is actually meaningful. I have all the respect in the world for Dustin Colquitt, you know I'll say it-- he's a great punter. But if the most positive thing about this game is how much the punter was out on the field, that stinks. (Even though it was only four times, it seemed like more...)

It is indeed a horrible feeling when from the day training camp opened you know your team will suck. I will be honest and actually had that hope that Brodie Croyle would pan out. He didn't big-time. Sorry, but a QB drafted that high should be showing up by now. In the one game I watched in pre-season, the one against the Dolphins (and his best showing by the way) he looked like a high school player. Sorry, but he needed to be in there leading the team. He played like he was trying to impress the cheerleaders.

Instead we've got Damon Huard, who was completely underwhelming today. To be kind to him, this was expected. He's just not anywhere near get-you-to-the-dance material. And please don't give me the whole "We shouldn't have gotten rid of Trent Green" bit because he's done. Loved him like nothin' else when he ran our offense, but he's done.

And that thought about our defense picking it up? For one, this defense just didn't get it done. It had those flashes of above-adequate, but, yeah. There ya go.

And for two, you can't expect your defense to carry the team with an offense like this. Larry Johnson, the guy everyone seems to think is Super-Duper-Man, got a woeful 43 yards rushing. Remember the sad refrain from last year? About that one forgotten thing that is arguably the most important part of the team? The offensive line? Kyle Turley is still starting. I don't think I need to say more.

This thing was doomed after the first pretty decent drive when our vaunted new place-kicker bricked a gimme 30-yarder. That was just inexcusable. Sigh.

I found myself in this crushing resignation mode as early as Thursday night, catching myself muttering to the television "I wish we had a team like the Colts." How awful is that.

I could say a whole lot more about this, or that, but it'll still all be abjectly pointless. Oh I'll blog through the season. Faithfully. But right now, I don't know--

At this point, what else do you expect me to say? What else can any Chiefs fan say?